VCU CHEMISTRY, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.) WITH A CONCENTRATION IN BIOCHEMISTRY The curriculum in chemistry prepares students for graduate study in chemistry and related fields and for admission to schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine. It prepares students to teach in secondary schools or to work in chemical and industrial laboratories and in related fields of business and industry. The department also offers required and elective courses in chemistry to students in other programs of study. The Department of Chemistry offers five areas of concentration for completing the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry: chemical science, professional chemist, professional chemist with honors, biochemistry and chemical modeling. With proper selection of electives, the degree satisfies admission requirements to most schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine. The biochemistry concentration focuses on the biological aspects of chemistry, including molecular genetics and molecular biotechnology. This degree is another option for students planning to study medicine or dentistry. Learning outcomes Structure: Students will demonstrate understanding of the relationship between molecular structure and function. Descriptive chemistry: Students will be conversant with common chemical phenomena both symbolically and sensorially. Measurement and numeracy: Students will perform calculations needed to describe and model common chemical phenomena. Communication: Students will develop written and oral communication skills needed to explain chemical phenomena to novices and experts. Literacy: Students will search, read and assess scientific literature. Laboratory skills: Students will develop and practice laboratory bench and instrumentation skills. Information processing: Students will interpret tables, graphs, drawings and models. Critical thinking: Students will practice critical thinking and problem solving. Special requirements Students must complete credits in chemistry and related courses and 27 to 29 credits of collateral requirements. A minimum grade of C is required in each prerequisite course: CHEM 00 Introductory Chemistry (if required through placement qualifiers) CHEM 0 CHEM 02 CHEM 0 CHEM 02 Degree requirements for Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in biochemistry General Education requirements University Core Education Curriculum (minimum 2 credits) UNIV Play course video for Focused Inquiry I UNIV 2 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II Focused Inquiry I Focused Inquiry II UNIV 200 Inquiry and the Craft of Argument Approved humanities/fine arts Approved natural/physical sciences - Approved quantitative literacy - Approved social/behavioral sciences - Total Hours 2-2 Additional College of Humanities and Sciences requirements (-2 credits) HUMS 202 Choices in a Consumer Society Approved H&S diverse and global communities Approved H&S human, social and political behavior (fulfills University Core social/behavioral sciences) Approved H&S literature and civilization (fulfills University Core humanities/fine arts) Approved H&S science and technology (fulfills University Core natural/physical sciences) Approved H&S General Education electives 6-8 Experiential fine arts - Foreign language through the 02 level (by course or placement) Total Hours -2 Course offered by the School of the Arts Collateral requirements BIOL & BIOZ BIOL 2 & BIOZ 2 Introduction to Biological Sciences I Laboratory I Introduction to Biological Sciences II Laboratory II BIOL 00 Cellular and Molecular Biology MATH 200 & MATH 20 Calculus with Analytic Geometry and Calculus with Analytic Geometry Select one of the following: 8-0 PHYS 20 & PHYS 202 PHYS 207 & PHYS 208 STAT 20 and University Physics I and University Physics II Basic Practice of Statistics (fulfills quantitative literacy) 0-8 8
2 Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in biochemistry or STAT 22 Concepts of Statistics Total Hours 27-29 Major requirements Chemistry core CHEM 0 & CHEZ 0 CHEM 02 & CHEZ 02 CHEM 0 & CHEZ 0 CHEM 02 & CHEZ 02 CHEM 0 & CHEZ 0 and Laboratory I and Laboratory II and Laboratory I and Laboratory II Physical Chemistry and Physical Chemistry Laboratory I CHEM 0 Physical Chemistry CHEM 09 & CHEZ 09 Quantitative Analysis and Quantitative Analysis Laboratory CHEM 20 Inorganic Chemistry I CHEM 98 Professional Practices and Perspectives Seminar CHEM 0 Biochemistry I CHEM 0 Biochemistry II Chemistry electives Select at least one of the approved electives below (three credits minimum) or any 00-level CHEM class for which prerequisites have been met. Total Hours Open electives Select two to 8 open elective credits 2-8 Total minimum requirement 20 credits Chemistry electives BIOL 0 Genetics CHEM/MEDC 0 Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design CHEM 06 Inorganic Chemistry II CHEM 09 & CHEZ 09 Instrumental Analysis and Instrumental Analysis Laboratory CHEM 92 Independent Study - What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree. Freshman year CHEM 0 & CHEZ 0 and Laboratory I Hours MATH 200 Calculus with Analytic Geometry UNIV Focused Inquiry I Approved H&S diverse and global communities CHEM 02 & CHEZ 02 Term Hours: and Laboratory II HUMS 202 Choices in a Consumer Society MATH 20 Calculus with Analytic Geometry UNIV 2 Focused Inquiry II Approved H&S human, social and political behavior Sophomore year BIOL & BIOZ CHEM 0 & CHEZ 0 Term Hours: Introduction to Biological Sciences I Laboratory I and Laboratory I UNIV 200 Inquiry and the Craft of Argument Approved H&S literature and civilization BIOL 2 & BIOZ 2 CHEM 02 & CHEZ 02 CHEM 09 & CHEZ 09 Term Hours: Introduction to Biological Sciences II Laboratory II and Laboratory II Quantitative Analysis and Quantitative Analysis Laboratory Approved H&S science and technology Junior year Term Hours: 6 BIOL 00 Cellular and Molecular Biology CHEM 20 Inorganic Chemistry I CHEM 0 Biochemistry I PHYS 20 or PHYS 207 or University Physics I Foreign language (0 level) CHEM 98 - Term Hours: 7-8 Professional Practices and Perspectives Seminar CHEM 0 Biochemistry II PHYS 202 or PHYS 208 or University Physics II STAT 20 Basic Practice of Statistics Foreign language (02 level) Senior year CHEM 0 & CHEZ 0 - Term Hours: -6 Physical Chemistry and Physical Chemistry Laboratory I Approved H&S general education electives 6 Chemistry elective - Experiential fine arts - Term Hours: -9
VCU CHEM 0 Physical Chemistry Open electives (upper-level if needed) 0-2 Term Hours: - Total Hours: 20-28 Chemistry (CHEM) (p. ) Chemistry Lab (CHEZ) (p. ) A minimum grade of C is required in each prerequisite course: CHEM 00 Introductory Chemistry (if required through placement qualifiers) CHEM 0 CHEM 02 CHEM 0 CHEM 02 CHEM 09 Quantitative Analysis In chemistry laboratories each student is charged for breakage incurred. Approved safety glasses are required. Failure to check out of laboratory, upon withdrawal or for other reasons, will incur a charge, billed from the Student Accounting Department. Chemistry CHEM 00. Introductory Chemistry. Hours. Semester course; lecture and problem session hour. credits. Prerequisite: students must be eligible to take MATH or higher. A course in the elementary principles of chemistry for individuals who do not meet the criteria for enrollment in CHEM 0; required for all students without a high school chemistry background who need to take CHEM 0-02. These credits may not be used to satisfy any chemistry course requirements in the College of Humanities and Sciences. CHEM 0.. Hours. Continuous courses; lecture and recitation hour. - credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 00 with a grade of C or higher, or high school chemistry and a satisfactory combination of Math SAT score and high school GPA. Pre- or corequisite: MATH. Prerequisite for CHEM 02: CHEM 0 with a grade of C or higher. Fundamental principles and theories of chemistry, including qualitative analysis. CHEM 02.. Hours. Continuous courses; lecture and recitation hour. - credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 00 with a grade of C or higher, or high school chemistry and a satisfactory combination of Math SAT score and high school GPA. Pre- or corequisite: MATH. Prerequisite for CHEM 02: CHEM 0 with a grade of C or higher. Fundamental principles and theories of chemistry, including qualitative analysis. CHEM 0. Chemistry and Society. Hours. Semester course; lecture hours. credits. The basic principles of chemistry are presented through the use of decision-making activities related to real-world societal issues. Not applicable for credit toward the B.S. in Chemistry. CHEM 2. Chemistry in the News. Hours. Semester course; lecture hours. credits. The basic principles of chemistry are used to interpret newspaper and magazine articles of current interest relating to chemistry in manufacturing, the global environment and medicine. Not applicable for credit toward the B.S. in Chemistry. CHEM 0.. Hours. Continuous courses; lecture hours. - credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 02 with a minimum grade of C. Prerequisite for CHEM 02: CHEM 0 with a minimum grade of C. A comprehensive survey of aliphatic and aromatic compounds with emphasis on their structure, properties, reactions, reaction mechanisms and stereochemistry. CHEM 02.. Hours. Continuous courses; lecture hours. - credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 02 with a minimum grade of C. Prerequisite for CHEM 02: CHEM 0 with a minimum grade of C. A comprehensive survey of aliphatic and aromatic compounds with emphasis on their structure, properties, reactions, reaction mechanisms and stereochemistry. CHEM 0. Physical Chemistry. Hours. 09 or CLSE 20 with minimum grades of C, and PHYS 202 or PHYS 208, and MATH 20 or MATH 0 or MATH 07. Ideal and nonideal gases, thermodynamics, free energy and chemical equilibrium. CHEM 0. Physical Chemistry. Hours. 0 with a minimum grade of C. Kinetics, solution thermodynamics, heterogeneous equilibria, electrochemistry and introductory biophysical chemistry. CHEM 0. Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences. Hours. 0-02 and CHEM 09 with minimum grades of C; and MATH 200. Concepts and principles of physical chemistry as related to the life sciences, forensic science and the B.S in science programs. Major topics include thermodynamics of proteins and nucleic acids, enzyme kinetics and spectroscopic techniques useful in biophysical research such as circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance and magnetic resonance imaging. CHEM 06. Industrial Applications of Inorganic Chemistry. Hours. 02 and CHEZ 02. Chemical engineering students: EGRC 20 and EGRC 20. A study and analysis of the most important industrial applications of inorganic chemistry, with emphasis on structure/properties correlation, materials and energy balance, availability and logistics of starting materials, economic impact and environmental effects. Crosslisted as: CLSE 06. CHEM 09. Quantitative Analysis. Hours. 02 with a minimum grade of C, and MATH. Theory and practice of gravimetric, volumetric and instrumental analysis techniques and treatment of multiple equilibria in aqueous solutions. CHEM 0. Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design. Hours. Semester course; lecture hours. credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 02. This course is designed to expose undergraduate chemistry, biology and pre-medicine majors to the history, theory and practice of medicinal chemistry. The course will emphasize a combination of fundamentals and applications of drug design. In particular, the molecular aspects of drug action will be discussed. Special emphasis will also be placed on the methods used by medicinal chemists to design new drugs. Crosslisted as: MEDC 0. CHEM 20. Inorganic Chemistry I. Hours. 0-02 with minimum grades of C. A systematic, unified study of the structures, properties, reactions and practical applications of inorganic compounds.
Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in biochemistry CHEM 0. Guided Inquiry in Chemistry.. Hour. Semester course;. lecture hours.. credits. Prerequisites: CHEM 0-02 with minimum grades of B. Student facilitators lead recitation sections using guided inquiry, group-based activities. Introduces students to the principles of guided inquiry, active learning and collaborative learning in chemistry through practical, hands-on class work, discussions, readings and a final project. CHEM. Chemistry Preceptorship.. Hour. Semester course;. lecture hours.. credits. Course may be repeated once for a total of credits. Prerequisites: completion of relevant course with minimum grade of C, completion of CHEM 0 with a grade of B and permission of course instructor and departmental chair. Student facilitators lead recitation sections or laboratories in chemistry courses. Responsibilities vary and may include, but are not limited to, attending all classes, holding weekly review sessions or office hours and/or routine grading. A weekly reflection journal and final project are required. CHEM 9. Topics in Chemistry. - Hours. Semester course; variable hours. Variable credit. Maximum of credits per semester; maximum total of 6 credits for all chemistry topics courses may be applied to the major. Prerequisites: CHEM 0-02 and CHEZ 0, 02. A study of a selected topic in chemistry. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester. CHEM 92. Directed Study. - Hours. Semester course; variable hours. - credits. May be repeated for a maximum total of 8 credits; only credits are applicable to the chemistry major. Prerequisites: CHEM 02 and CHEZ 0 and 02. The independent investigation of chemical problems through readings and experimentation under the supervision of a research adviser. Written interim and final reports are required. CHEM 98. Professional Practices and Perspectives Seminar. Hour. Seminar course; lecture hour. credit. Prerequisites: completion of 8 credits in chemistry. Seminar course for students considering careers in chemistry-related fields covering topics such as scientific professionalism and ethics, and using chemical literature. CHEM 0. Applications of Instrumental Techniques in Organic and Forensic Chemistry. Hours. Semester course; lecture and laboratory hours. credits. Prerequisites: CHEM 02 and CHEZ 02. Theory and laboratory practice of instrumental and chemical methods applied to the analysis of organic compounds with emphasis on applications in forensic chemistry. CHEM 0. Biochemistry I. Hours. 02 with a minimum grade of C. A presentation of structural biochemistry, enzymology, biophysical techniques, bioenergetics and an introduction to intermediary metabolism. CHEM 0. Biochemistry II. Hours. Semester course; lecture hours. credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 0 with a minimum grade of C. A presentation of metabolism and its regulation as integrated catoblism and anoblism of molecules that are essential to life. CHEM 06. Inorganic Chemistry II. Hours. 0 and 20. An advanced study of inorganic chemistry, including inorganic spectroscopy, organometallic compounds and catalysis, and bioinorganic systems. CHEM 09. Instrumental Analysis. Hours. 0 and 09, and CHEZ 09. Theory and practice of modern spectrophotometric, electroanalytical and chromatographic and nuclear magnetic resonance methods. CHEM 9. Topics in Chemistry. - Hours. Semester course; variable hours. Variable credit. Maximum of credits per semester; maximum total of 6 credits for all chemistry topics courses may be applied to the major. Prerequisites: CHEM 02 and CHEZ 0 and 02. A study of a selected topic in chemistry. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester and prerequisites. CHEM 92. Independent Study. - Hours. Semester course; variable hours. - credits. May be repeated for a maximum total of 8 credits; only credits are applicable to the chemistry major. Prerequisites: CHEM 02 and CHEZ 0 and 02. The independent investigation of chemical problems through readings and experimentation under the supervision of a research adviser. Written interim and final reports required. CHEM 9. Chemistry Internship. - Hours. Semester course; variable hours. Variable credit. Maximum of credits; credit will be given for each 0 hours (approximately one month) of parttime or full-time chemical work experience. Prerequisites: CHEM 02 and CHEZ 0 and 02. Acquisition of chemistry laboratory experience through involvement in a professional chemistry setting. Written progress and final reports will be required. CHEM 98. Honors Thesis. Hour. Semester course; credit. Prerequisites: completion of 29 credits in chemistry, including CHEM 98 and at least six credits of CHEM 92. Students submit to the Department of Chemistry a thesis based on their independent study research. Students also present their results to the department as a research seminar. Chemistry Lab CHEZ 0. Laboratory I. Hour. Semester course; lecture and 2 laboratory hours. credit. Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 0. Experimental work correlated with CHEM 0 with selected forensic science applications. Each student is charged for breakage incurred. Approved safety glasses are required. Failure to check out of laboratory upon withdrawal or for other reasons will incur a charge billed from the Student Accounting Department. CHEZ 02. Laboratory II. Hour. Semester course; lecture and 2 laboratory hours. credit. Prerequisites: CHEM 0 and CHEZ 0 with minimum grades of C. Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 02. Experimental work includes qualitative analysis with selected forensic science applications. Each student is charged for breakage incurred. Approved safety glasses are required. Failure to check out of laboratory upon withdrawal or for other reasons will incur a charge billed from the Student Accounting Department. CHEZ 0. Chemistry and Society Laboratory. Hour. Semester course; 2 laboratory hours. credit. Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 0. Experimental work correlated with CHEM 0. Not applicable for credit toward the B.S. in Chemistry. Each student is charged for breakage incurred. Approved safety glasses are required. Failure to check out of laboratory upon withdrawal or for other reasons will incur a charge billed from the Student Accounting Department.
VCU CHEZ 0. Laboratory I. 2 Hours. Semester course; laboratory hours. 2 credits. Prerequisites: CHEM 02 and CHEZ 02 with minimum grades of C. Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 0. Experimental work correlated with CHEM 0. Each student is charged for breakage incurred. Approved safety glasses are required. Failure to check out of laboratory upon withdrawal or for other reasons will incur a charge billed from the Student Accounting Department. CHEZ 02. Laboratory II. 2 Hours. Semester course; laboratory hours. 2 credits. Prerequisites: CHEM 0 and CHEZ 0 with minimum grades of C. Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 02. Experimental work correlated with CHEM 02. Each student is charged for breakage incurred. Approved safety glasses are required. Failure to check out of laboratory upon withdrawal or for other reasons will incur a charge billed from the Student Accounting Department. CHEZ 0. Physical Chemistry Laboratory I. 2 Hours. Semester course; laboratory hours. 2 credits. Prerequisites: CHEM 02 and CHEZ 02. Pre- or corequisites: CHEM 0, 09 and CHEZ 09. This course covers experiments in calorimetry, molecular and thermodynamic properties of gases and liquids, surfaces, electrochemistry, equilibria, polymers, phase diagrams, and biophysical chemistry. Extensive report writing, laboratory notebook writing and statistical analysis of data are emphasized. A final project may be required. CHEZ 0. Physical Chemistry Laboratory II. 2 Hours. Semester course; laboratory hours. 2 credits. Prerequisites: CHEM 0, 09 and CHEZ 0, 09. Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 0. This course covers experiments in absorption and emission spectroscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, kinetics, photochemistry, biophysical chemistry and modeling. Report writing, laboratory notebook writing and statistical analysis of data are emphasized. A final project may be required. CHEZ 09. Quantitative Analysis Laboratory. Hour. Semester course; lecture and laboratory hours. credit. Prerequisites: CHEM 02 and CHEZ 02 with minimum grades of C. Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 09. Laboratory associated with quantitative analysis. Includes practice in volumetric and instrumental laboratory techniques as applied to measurement sciences. CHEZ 06. Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory. 2 Hours. Semester course; lecture and laboratory hours. 2 credits. Prerequisites: CHEM 20 and CHEZ 02. Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 06. Examination of inorganic nonmetal, transition metal and organometallic compounds using modern inorganic methods of synthesis and characterization. Each student is charged for breakage incurred. Approved safety glasses are required. Failure to check out of laboratory upon withdrawal or for other reasons will incur a charge billed from the Student Accounting Department. CHEZ 09. Instrumental Analysis Laboratory. 2 Hours. Semester course; laboratory hours. 2 credits. Prerequisites: CHEM 02, 0 and 09 with minimum grades of C; CHEZ 0 and 09 with minimum grades of C. Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 09. Practice of electrochemical, spectroscopic and chromatographic methods of analysis.